Bracelet for wrist-watches



June 9, 1959 E. MULLER ETAl, 2,889,973

' BRACELET FOR WRIST-WATCHES Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 In vzn Mrs.-

June 9, 1959 E. MULLER ET AL 2,889,973

BRACELET FOR WRIST-WATCHES Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F7942 H945 30 F7917 27 v lnven/Ors zm h rum a 9 M999 s m June 9, 1959 E. MULLER Hm. I 2,889,973

BRACELET FOR WRIST-WATCHES Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 B i 38 38- 38- w wwfigw June 9, 1959 E. MULLER ETAL 2,889,973

BRACELET FOR WRIST-WATCHES Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS ma mam/i WA/ em 441MB? BY fla'aled 5. Sweep 2,889,973 BRACELET FOR WRIST-WATCHES Erich Miiller and Wilhelm Miiller, Birkenfeld, Wurttemberg, Germany, assignors to Wilhelm Kolb, Wurttemberg, Germany, a German firm Application December 1, 1955, Serial No. 550,418 Claims priority, application Germany December 8, 1954 13 Claims. (Cl. 224-4) This invention relates to a bracelet for wrist watches, and is particularly directed to a bracelet of the clamping-arm type embracing the arm of the wearer with springs.

The general object of the invention is to provide a bracelet of the aforesaid type with means permitting a simple and reliable connection of the wrist watch to the bracelet.

For this purpose the invention arranges in a covering sheath of leather or artificial material and on opposite sides of the watch, a pair of spring arms having fastening end portions secured to the watch and having free ends inserted into the sheath through openings provided in the latter on both sides of the watch. Preferably, a curved leaf spring, or a plurality of superimposed leafsprings are arranged in the sheath to hold it on the wrist of the wearer.

For fastening the leaf spring arms to the fastening means of the watch, the two leaf springs may be provided at their fastening ends with a folded down end portion adapted to hook onto the fastening pins or ears of the watch. The portions of the leaf-springs projecting from the sheath through the aforesaid openings in the sheath are preferably provided with coverings of leather or artificial material.

It is also possible to fasten the fastening ends of the two leaf spring arms to the Watch by means of cord loops extending through bores in the lateral fastening portions of the watch.

A further improvement resides in the feature that according to the invention the main leaf spring as well as of the two leaf spring arms are rendered more elastic at their free ends by a reduction in width, thickness, or hardness of the free ends of the springs.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which several embodiments of the invention have been shown by way of example. However, the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modifications constitute no material departures from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Inthe drawings Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a first form of construction, with the wrist watch fastened to the pair of lateral leaf spring arms;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the portion of the bracelet on which the wrist watch is fastened;

Fig. 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the bracelet, with one of the lateral leaf spring arms inserted into the pocket of the strap;

Fig. 4 is a side view, partly in section of a modified form of construction;

United States Patent 2 Fig. 5 is a top view of the portion of the bracelet on which the wrist watch is fastened;

Figs. 6 to 8 are a side view, a fragmentary view of the underside, and a front view, respectively, of one of the pair of leaf spring arms of the modified form of construction of Fig. 4;

Figs. 9 to 11 are a side view, a fragmentary view of the underside, and a front view, respectively, of one of the pair of lateral fastening arms of the watch, wherein these fastening arms consist of wires;

Figs. 12 to 14 are a side view, a fragmentary view of the underside, and a front view, respectively, of another modification in which the lateral spring arms are fastened to the watch by means of a split ring;

Figs. 15 to 17 are a side view, a fragmentary view of the underside, and a front view, respectively, of another modification in which the lateral leaf spring arms are fastened to the watch by means of a cord loop; I

Fig. 18 is a side view, partly in section, of another modified form of construction;

Fig. 19 is a top view of the portion of the bracelet on which the wrist watch is fastened;

7 Figs. 20 and 21 are a side view, and a front view, respectively, of the leaf spring of the modification of Fig. 18;

Figs. 22 and 23 are a side view, and a front view, respectively, of the two leaf spring arms of the modification of Fig. 18 and Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 18.

According to the first form of construction illustrated in Figs. no 3, inclusive, the bracelet consists of a leaf spring 1 (steel spring) enclosed in a casing or strap of leather or artificial material, the sheath-like casing consists of an inner band-like portion 2 and of an outer band-like portion '3. For arranging the leaf spring 1 in its position within the sheath-like casing its ends are pushed through openings 4 into pockets 4a formed in the sheath 2, 3. Provided in the outer cover portion 3 between the two openings 4 is a longitudinal slit 5,. so that the leaf spring 1, after opening of the two lateral flaps formed by the slit and after reclosing of the two flaps, is completely covered by the outer cover portion 3 also 'at the central portion of the bracelet. The in vention further includes two leaf spring arms 6 terminating each in a h'ook-shaped'end portion 7, which hookshaped end portions are likewise enclosed in leather coverings 8 and serve as means for fastening the bracelet to the fastening bows 9 of the watch case 10. The free ends of the leaf spring arms 6 are then inserted through the openings 4 into the sheath 2, 3 and thus reliably secured in position within the sheath.

It will be seen that in a construction like this the two leaf spring arms '6, after their insertion into the sheath 2, 3, serve simultaneously as a springy clamping means, so that the leaf spring 1 can be thinner and more flexible and simultaneously will be more resistant to strain than has been the case hitherto.

Instead of arranging within the sheath 2, 3 just one leaf spring 1, as has heretofore been described, it is also possible to provide the sheath with two or a pinrality of leaf springs 1.

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 to 17, inclusive, the leaf spring 11 (see Fig. 4) is likewise positioned in a strap made of leather or artificial mate'- rial and consisting of an inner portion 12 and'an outer portion 13. For the insertion of the leaf spring 11 into pockets 14a formed in the sheath 12, 13 serve the openings 14 and the longitudinal slit 15. Here again, the leaf spring 11, after its insertion into the sheath, is covered up by the elongated leather flaps on both sides of the slit 15 (see Fig. 5).

In the form of construction of Figs. 4 to 8, the watch is secured to the bracelet by means of two leaf spring arms 16 which at their fastening ends have two lateral flaps 17 provided with prongs by means of whichthe cord loops 18, after having been pulled through bores in the lateral fastening portions 19 of the wrist watch 20, are secured to the spring arms 16. After this the wrist watch is secured to the bracelet by insertion of .the curved spring arms 16 into the openings 14 of the sheath 12, 13. The lateral flaps 17 are, after the hardening of the arms 16, preferably tempered, so that the flaps 17 can easily be bent around the cord loops 18 .and secured in position. The fastening ends of the spring arms 16 are preferably enclosed in coverings of leather or artificial material 21 having preferably the color of the cord loops 18.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, the spring arms 22. consist of hairpin-like wires. The fastening ends are likewise covered up by leather or artificial material 23, and serve as a means for securing a ladys watch to the bracelet. For this purpose the spring arms 22 are pulled with one of their free ends 24 through the transverse bores in the lateral fastening portions of the watch, whereupon the watch is secured to the bracelet in the aforedescribed manner by insertion of the arms 22 into the openings 14 of the bracelet. FigffrZ to 14, inclusive, show a modification in which the fastening ends 26 of the leaf spring arms 25 are folded down upon themselves in such manner that an eye 26a is formed and that a divided ring 27, after having been pulled through a bore in the fastening portions of the wrist watch, can be secured in the eye. After this the spring arms 25 are again pushed into the openings 14 of the sheath and thus secured in position in the bracelet. Here again the fastening ends of the spring arms are covered up with leather or artificial material 28. The rings 27 may be omitted, in which case the folded down ends 26 are hooked up in the lateral fastening bows of the wrist watch.

In the modification of Figs. to 17, inclusive, the wrist watch is secured to the bracelet by means of spring arms 29 having their fastening ends provided with lateral folded flaps 30 which are forming an eye in such manner that the ends 32 of the cord loops 31 can easily be secured in position by insertion and folding, as shown in the drawings. In this way spring arms 29 need not be rendered flexible by tempering after hardening. Furthermore, the cord loops 31 may be of such length that the spring arms 29, after their insertion into the openings of the sheath of the bracelet are completely covered by the sheath, so that the fastening ends of the spring arms need not be covered up with leather or the like.

By using differently colored leather for the sheath and for the coverings of the fastening ends of the spring arms, a variety of different fashion effects can be produced. Furthermore, the bracelet of the invention can easily be exchanged for another one, so that the color of the strap may be matched with the color of a dress.

In the last form of construction illustrated in Figs. 18 to 23, inclusive, the leaf spring 33 is likewise positioned in a sheath consisting of an inner covering portion 34 and an outer cover portion 35 of leather or artificial material. For the insertion of the spring 33 into pockets 36a formed in the sheath openings 36 and the longitudinal slit 37 (see Figs. 18 and 19), are provided so that, after the insertion of the spring, the lateral flaps formed by the slit are again used as a covering means for the central portion of spring 33.

The two additional leaf spring arms 38 terminate in a hook-shaped end 39 covered up with leather or artificial material 40. The hook-shaped ends 39 are hooked into the fastening arms 41 ofthe watch case 42, whereupon the watch is secured to the bracelet by insertion of the curved spring arms 38 into the openings 36 of the bracelet.

As shown in Figs. and 21 the leaf spring 33 is ottset at 43 (see Fig. 21) to have an end portion of smaller width; or the thickness of the leaf spring 33 is reduced at 44 (see dot-and-dash line in Fig. 20). In this way the free ends of the spring are rendered more elastic, so that the bracelet is more conveniently carried on the arm of the wearer. Instead of reducing the width or thickness of the ends of the leaf spring 33 it is also possible to render the spring more elastic at its ends by hardening the ends to a lesser extent. In Figs. 22 and 23 leaf spring arms 38 are shown which may likewise have their width reduced at their free ends. It will be appreciated that the curved main spring (1, 11, or 33) holds the flexible strap in curved condition on the Wrist of the wearer. The watch-holding curved spring arms (6, 16, 38) are slidable in the pockets of the strap, and resiliently resist insertion and removal so that the watch is firmly held on the strap during normal use of the bracelet.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: I

l. A wrist-watch holder comprising, in combination, a flexible strap means including a member for holding said strap means in curved condition so as to be adapted to tightly engage a wrist, and having a center portion, said strap means having a pair of pockets each having an opening, said openings being respectively located on either side of said center portion; and a pair of curved spring arms respectively located in said pockets slidable in the same relative to said strap means and said member and having fastening end portions respectively located in the regions of said openings for holding a watch located on said center portion, said curved spring arms being of substantial length and adapted to embrace the wrist in curved condition of said strap means so as to be resiliently held in said pockets.

2. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 1 wherein the end portions of each of said spring arms remote from the respective fastening end portions have greater flexi bility than the remainder of said spring arms.

3. A wrist-watch holder, comprising, in combination, a strap means including a curved leaf spring having a center portion and a first pair of curved spring arms, said strap means further including sheath means at least partly enveloping said leaf spring so that said strap means is curved and adapted to resiliently engage a wrist, said sheath means including a pair of pocket means enveloping said first pair of spring arms and forming on the outer surface of said strap means a pair of openings spaced from each other in the region of the center portion of said leaf spring; and a second pair of curved spring arms respectively located in said pocket means and being slidable with respect to said first pair of spring arms, said second pair of spring arms having fastening end portions respectively located in the regions of said openings for holding a watch located between said openings of said pockets on said center portion, said second pair of curved spring arms being of substantial length and adapted to embrace the wrist in curved condition of said strap means.

4. A wrist-watch holder, comprising, in combination, a strap means including a curved leaf spring having closely spaced free ends and a sheath at least partly enveloping said leaf spring so that said strap means is curved and adapted to resiliently engage a wrist, said sheath having on the outer surface thereof a pair of openings spaced from each other in the region of the center portion of said strap means so as to form two pockets in said sheath; and a pair of curved spring arms respectively located in said pockets slidable in the same relative to said sheath and said leaf spring and having free ends respectively located adjacent said free ends of said leaf spring, said spring arms having fastening end portions respectively projecting out of said openings for holding a watch located between said openings of said pockets on said center portion, said curved spring arms being of substantial length and adapted to embrace the wrist in curved condition of said strap means so as to be resiliently held in said pockets.

5. A wrist-watch holder, comprising, in combination, a strap means including a curved leaf spring and a sheath at least partly enveloping said leaf spring so that said strap means is curved and adapted to resiliently engage a wrist, said sheath having on the outer surface thereof a pair of openings spaced from each other in the region of the center portion of said strap means so as to form two pockets in said sheath; and a pair of curved spring arms respectively located in said pockets slidable in the same relative to said sheath and said leaf spring and having fastening end portions respectively located in the regions of said openings for holding a watch located between said openings of said pockets on said center portion, said spring means, respectively, abutting against the outer surface of said curved leaf spring said curved spring arms resiliently engaging said curved leaf spring so as to be resiliently held in said pockets.

6. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein said sheath completely envelops said leaf spring and is formed with a longitudinal slit in the outer face thereof intermediate and communicating with said openings, said openings being transverse slots whereby said curved leaf spring may !be removed from said sheath.

7. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein said sheath is made of non-resilient flexible material; and including a pair of covers made of flexible material and respectively covering at least said fastening end portions of said spring arms.

8. A wrist-watch as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said spring arms includes a curved leaf spring the fastening end portion of which is hook-shaped for holding a watch and the other end portion of which is narrower than said fastening end portion thereof.

9. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said fastening end portions of said spring arms is bent to form an eye portion; and including a pair of resilient split ring members each adapted to engage a watch and each having the free ends thereof located within said eye portion.

10. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said fastening end portions includes laterally projecting portions folded thereover; and including a pair of cord-loop means adapted to engage a watch and each having the free ends thereof engaged and held respectively between said fastening end portions and said folded over portions.

11. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 5 including a pair of retaining means connected respectively to said fastening end portions and defining therewith longitudinal passages; and including a pair of cord-loop means adapted to engage a watch, the free ends of each cord-loop means passing through said passages respectively and being bent reversely over said retaining means, said spring arms and said bent ends of said cord-loop means being located in said pockets, respectively.

12. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said spring arms includes a Wire spring having a pair of spaced curved wire portions and an intermediate wire portion connecting said curved portions and providing the fastening end portion thereof.

13. A wrist-watch holder as set forth in claim 12 which includes a pair of covers respectively covering at least said intermediate wire portion of said spring arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,711,985 Bigney May 7, 1929 2,186,089 Baker Jan. 9, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 249,201 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1948 462,549 Italy Mar. 23, 1951 1,110,617 France Oct. 12, 1955 

